Silk Road Christianity

The research focus on Christianity along the Silk Road brings together internationally visible projects on the history of Christianity, with particular emphasis on East Syriac Christianity between the 5th and 15th centuries. At its core is the systematic exploration of previously little-known sources and their interdisciplinary analysis.

Key research projects are dedicated the analysis of historical, epigraphic, and archaeological evidence in Syriac, Chinese, Sogdian, Old Turkic, Latin, and Greek. Special attention is given to processes of inculturation and interreligious exchange in Central Asia and China, as well as to the cultural contexts and interactions between Christianity and Buddhism, Manichaeism, and Islam. This research area thus makes a significant contribution to understanding processes of knowledge and cultural transfer along the Silk Road, highlighting Christianity as part of a complex and early globalized world.

ZECO has established a field-based platform in Central Asia through the “ Central Asian Center for Syriac Studies.” Its main objective is to develop a platform to facilitate research and development of Syriac Studies in Central Asia, mapping and implementing archeological engagement strategies, and the development of geoinformatics related to the historical and socio-religious geography of Central Asia. This initiative is carried out in cooperation with one of the leading universities in Central Asia,  Nazarbayev University in Astana, within the framework of the  Eurasia-Pacific Uninet  and the ERASMUS+ Program (KA171).